AN ANNIVERSARY

   After Richard Wright, Haiku 508

It is September.

The month in which I was born.

I have seen many.

Each time it returns

I give thanks and ask the gods

to grant me one more.

AN APPRAISAL

The scarecrow ignores

crows devouring a cornfield.

By noon the corn's gone.

Watching those crows feast,

the farmer adds up his life.

A rusting tractor.

His old hands tremble.

Once they built a whole damn house.

Now, just cut them off.

A DEPARTURE

She's left him for good.

Nothing in the fridge except

a six-pack of beer.

A BEGINNING

Greet the dawn naked.

The new day is whatever

we choose to put on.

        I'm putting you on.

                                                   The Face

                                              of the New Day